College Football Power Rankings: Texas Claims Top Spot After Comeback vs. Ohio State

The 2026 college football season is just a few weeks old, but many of the nation’s marquee programs have made waves early in the campaign, both positively and negatively. 

In Week 2, the Texas Longhorns pulled off a heart-pounding comeback win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the weekend's most intriguing matchup. Meanwhile, Oregon fell from the ranks of the unbeaten in a loss against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

How will these results affect the pecking order in the college football landscape?

Below, we’ll break down our top 25 college football power rankings, along with AP Poll results, season-long projections and potential win total payouts from PrizePicks Team Picks.

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College Football Top 25 Power Rankings

Let's kick off these power rankings with several high-profile programs boasting serious College Football Playoff expectations for the rest of the season.

1: Texas Longhorns

AP Ranking: #1

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.53x I No 2.32x)

Texas was absolutely dominated by Ohio State in the first half but pulled off the most impressive comeback we’ve seen this young season. QB Arch Manning was sensational in the fourth quarter, while the defense shut down QB Julian Sayin and company.

According to Sportradar, the 20-point fourth-quarter comeback was the fourth-largest against a #1 team all time. It’s hard to argue that this wasn't the biggest win of the Steve Sarkisian era, and the Longhorns staked their claim to college football’s top spot early in the campaign after passing arguably the toughest test they’ll have all year.

2: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

AP Ranking: #3

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.31x I No 2.94x)

Notre Dame has outscored its opponents 93-13 in its first two games against Wisconsin and Rice. While the first-half schedule is light, the Fighting Irish will have multiple opportunities to pick up statement wins against the likes of #5 Miami, #11 BYU, and #16 SMU in the back half of the year.

QB CJ Carr is completing 71.4% of his passes and has looked flawless. The running game will be something to watch going forward, with Notre Dame averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Can RB Aneyas Williams handle the workload that’s been vacated by Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price?

3: Georgia Bulldogs

AP Ranking: #2

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.96x I No 1.78x)

Georgia has rolled Tennessee State and Western Kentucky to begin the 2026 season, and QB Gunner Stockton has barely broken a sweat. In fact, Stockton has completed 87.5% of his passes and tossed 8 TDs across those two games.

Georgia likely won’t be tested until taking on #24 Oklahoma later this month in Athens. 

4: Miami Hurricanes

AP Ranking: #5

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.25x I No 2.32x)

It’ll be tough for Miami to follow up its 2025 campaign, but 2026 is off to a monster start after a dominant 77-7 win over Florida A&M this past week. QB Darian Mensah has been phenomenal early, completing a staggering 91.1% of his passes.

WR Malachi Toney has also been electric, while the RB duo of Javian Mallory (13.3 yards per carry) and Mark Fletcher Jr. (7.3 YPC) has done the job on the ground. However, the secondary has taken a brutal early blow with starting CB Xavier Lucas set to miss a month with an undisclosed injury. 

5: Indiana Hoosiers

AP Ranking: #4

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.88x I No 1.85x)

Like many top teams, Indiana has yet to be tried, but it did shut out Howard 55-0 in Week 2. WR Charlie Becker has carried his strong 2025 finish into the new campaign with 5 TDs in just two games. The rushing attack has also been very efficient, with former Boston College RB Turbo Richard (6.4 yards per carry) and RB Lee Beebe Jr. leading the way.

It’s quite possible that Curt Cignetti’s group won’t face much adversity until taking on Ohio State on October 17. 

6: Ohio State Buckeyes

AP Ranking: #6

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.61x I No 2.08x)

In the first half against Texas, WR Jeremiah Smith showcased his ability as the nation’s top pass catcher. Smith has easily been the Buckeyes’ top offensive producer with 19.7 yards per catch and 3 TDs in two games.

With that said, Sayin will need to lean on Ohio State’s other WRs besides Jeremiah Smith going forward, potentially including star freshman Chris Henry Jr. The Texas collapse certainly wasn’t ideal. Still, Ohio State has a fairly easy schedule over the next month aside from a trip to Iowa on October 3.

7: LSU Tigers

AP Ranking: #7

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.69x I No 2.08x)

The Lane Kiffin era started with a bang as LSU flexed its muscles in a blowout win against Clemson. A 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech in Week 2 wasn’t without questionable moments. The Tigers committed 4 second-quarter turnovers with 3 INTs from QB Sam Leavitt, one of which resulted in a 100-yard pick-six.

LSU did hold Louisiana Tech to just 140 total yards, so there was a lot to like on the defensive side of the ball. A showdown with Ole Miss in Oxford awaits in Week 3. 

8: Texas A&M Aggies

AP Ranking: #9

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.66x I No 1.72x)

Texas A&M topped Arizona State 48-20 this past week but racked up only 255 yards of total offense. The Aggies were impressive defensively, with four takeaways, including a pair of pick-sixes in the fourth quarter.

This is a group that is allowing just 10.0 PPG. Texas A&M will look to beat Kentucky at home before a showdown at LSU awaits the following week. 

9: Ole Miss Rebels

AP Ranking: #8

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.92x I No 1.56x)

After topping Louisville in a tight affair to open the 2026 season, Ole Miss looked dominant against Charlotte, keeping the 49ers from finding the end zone in a 41-9 win. RB Kewan Lacy rushed for 87 yards and 2 TDs against Charlotte in his return after suffering a thigh injury against Louisville.

QB Trinidad Chambliss has been tossing the ball with extreme precision and looks like one of the SEC’s top signal callers yet again in 2026. Can Chambliss shine on the big stage against his former HC in Kiffin this Saturday? 

10: Alabama Crimson Tide

AP Ranking: #11

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 2.12x I No 1.51x)

QB Keelon Russell has had some growing pains early on. Russell threw 2 INTs and fumbled once in a 45-17 win against Kentucky in Week 2. The dual-threat signal caller has a ton of potential, but he’ll need to lead the offense if the Crimson Tide want to make the College Football Playoff.

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11: BYU Cougars

AP Ranking: #11

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.96x I No 1.78x)

There’s no doubt BYU has what it takes to win the Big 12, and it showed that in its 28-17 win over Arizona this past week. QB Bear Bachmeier’s sophomore campaign has gotten off to a strong start, as he’s completing 69.6% of his passes and has yet to turn the ball over.

The Cougars could be one of the more dangerous teams on the ground with LJ Martin (5.6 yards per carry) and Bachmeier leading the way. 

12: USC Trojans

AP Ranking: #12

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.56x I No 2.22x)

USC has raced out to a 3-0 record and hasn’t really been tested in wins against San Jose State, Fresno State, and Louisiana. The Trojans came away with a 39-20 win against the Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday in which freshman phenom TE Mark Bowman caught 6 passes for 83 yards and two TDs.

QB Jayden Maiava appears to have a stable of playmakers, including RB King Miller, WR Trent Mosley, WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and Bowman. The Trojans are poised to make quite a bit of noise in the Big Ten. 

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13: Tennessee Volunteers

AP Ranking: #15

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.78x I No 1.69x)

Tennessee was picked to finish eighth in the SEC media poll before the season, but the Volunteers may be poised to be a surprise team. Freshman QB Faizon Brandon is impressive, but RB DeSean Bishop has been sensational with 244 rushing yards and 3 TDs on 7.2 yards per carry, including a 147-yard performance against Georgia Tech in Week 2.

Tennessee very well may be able to take care of business against Kennesaw State this week before Texas comes to Knoxville the following Saturday. 

14: Texas Tech Red Raiders

AP Ranking: #13

Projected Win Total: 11+ (Yes 1.85x I No 1.81x)

Texas Tech was lucky to escape Corvallis with a win over Oregon State this past week. QB Will Hammond threw for only 189 yards and didn’t toss the ball downfield much against the Beavers’ secondary. One bright spot was RB J’Koby Williams, who rushed for 116 yards and a TD in the win. 

15: SMU Mustangs

AP Ranking: #16

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.85x I No 1.61x)

Miami may be the top team in the ACC, but SMU certainly could give the Hurricanes a run for their money. The Mustangs started the year with a narrow road win at Florida State, then delivered a commanding 56-10 win over UC Davis last week.

QB Kevin Jennings has been electric thus far, completing 76.9% of his passes and tossing 8 TDs across two games. This week’s contest against Louisville will be one of the most polarizing games on the Week 3 schedule. 

16: Oregon Ducks

AP Ranking: #21

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.53x I No 2.32x)

Oregon had an afternoon to forget against Oklahoma State, as the Ducks were upset 39-31 on the road this past Saturday. QB Dante Moore had an underwhelming outing, flustered by a feisty Cowboy defense and completing just 14 of 29 passes.

Meanwhile, the Oregon defense simply had no answer for QB Drew Mestemaker, who helped the Cowboys rack up 554 yards of total offense. Oregon has a get-right game against Portland State this week before facing USC on the road next week. 

17: Penn State Nittany Lions

AP Ranking: #14

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.56x I No 2.04x)

Penn State’s defense has been stingy through two games, allowing just 9 total points. However, those performances have come against Marshall and Temple, so there’s still plenty to learn about HC Matt Campbell’s group.

Former Iowa State QB Rocco Becht has been flawless, completing 75.6% of his passes and throwing 7 TDs. Penn State really won’t see a major peer until hosting USC on October 10. 

18: Utah Utes

AP Ranking: #17

Projected Win Total: 10+ (Yes 1.75x I No 1.72x)

The Morgan Scalley era has gotten off to an impressive start. Utah recorded a convincing 43-10 win against Arkansas this past week in a game where the Utes didn’t allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter.

Utah could give BYU a run for its money in the Big 12, especially when QB Devon Dampier is playing at an elite level.

19: Virginia Cavaliers

AP Ranking: #25

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.53x I No 1.96x)

After a convincing win against NC State to start the year, QB Beau Pribula and company took care of business in a 59-3 victory over Norfolk State in Week 2. While it wasn’t exactly stellar competition, it was still nice to see Pribula toss the ball around the yard and record 3 TD passes in the win.

If Pribula can keep defenses honest with his arm, the Cavaliers could be one of the top teams in the ACC this season.

20: Michigan Wolverines

AP Ranking: #19

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 2.27x I No 1.58x)

Michigan has raced out a 2-0 mark in the early going and pulled off a 17-10 upset win against Oklahoma in Week 2. However, the Wolverines’ offense has left a lot to be desired, ranking last in the Big Ten in yards per game (269.5) and PPG (15.0).

QB Bryce Underwood got the job done on the ground against the Sooners, but he’s completing just 53.8% of his passes. He simply has to give the Wolverines more of a passing attack if they want to contend in the Big Ten.

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21: Missouri Tigers

AP Ranking: #20

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.96x I No 1.53x)

Missouri came away with a 38-21 win in the “Border War” against Kansas in Week 2, but it was closer than the box score suggested. QB Austin Simmons continues to thrive in his new home, tossing 3 TDs in the win. RB Jamal Roberts also had a terrific night, compiling 125 rushing yards and a TD.

Missouri faces a lighter schedule over the next few weeks before taking on #9 Texas A&M, #8 Ole Miss, and #1 Texas in the span of four weeks. 

22: Houston Cougars

AP Ranking: #22

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.96x I No 1.78x)

Houston barely had to break a sweat in its 77-6 win against Southern this past weekend. While the Cougars have a strong passing attack, they rode their running game to 388 rushing yards and a staggering 8.6 yards per carry.

QB Conner Weigman’s arm will certainly be needed when Houston travels to Texas Tech on Friday night.

23: Louisville Cardinals

AP Ranking: 23

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.58x I No 2.08x)

Louisville is just a few bounces away from being 2-0 after falling 41-38 to Ole Miss in its season opener. The Cardinals’ offense has looked impressive under QB Lincoln Kienholz, who topped 300 passing yards against Ole Miss and Villanova.

That makes Louisville even more dangerous, given its stellar ground attack featuring RB Isaac Brown and RB Keyjuan Brown.

24: Washington Huskies

AP Ranking: Not Ranked

Projected Win Total: 8+ (Yes 1.92x I No 1.63x)

Washington may be 2-0, but the offense's early returns haven’t been stellar. After scoring just 40 total points in two games, the Huskies lost WR Christian Moss for two to three months due to a lower-body injury.

QB Desmond Williams has thrown just a single TD so far, and his life just got a lot harder without one of his top pass catchers.

25: Iowa Hawkeyes

AP Ranking: 18

Projected Win Total: 9+ (Yes 1.85x I No 1.69x)

Iowa is rarely confused for an offensive juggernaut, and that was the case in last week’s 16-13 win against Iowa State. QB Hank Brown is completing 66.0% of his passes but has only thrown 1 TD in two games.

On the other end, the Hawkeyes are allowing the sixth-lowest adjusted EPA per play (-0.23) in the nation, according to Game on Paper. 

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Texas staked its claim to the top spot in the country after toppling Ohio State in Austin this past week. The Longhorns are one of the few top teams tested early, but that will change in the coming weeks.

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